• Enjoy the ‘good ole days’ • No answers on Ohana Kauai questions to council • Miracles in Kapa‘a Enjoy the ‘good ole days’ It is sad to hear so many complaints; traffic congestion, bike path, Superferry etc. Accept them,
• Enjoy the ‘good ole days’
• No answers on Ohana Kauai questions to council
• Miracles in Kapa‘a
Enjoy the ‘good ole days’
It is sad to hear so many complaints; traffic congestion, bike path, Superferry etc. Accept them, for they are here to, stay. The “good ole days” are gone forever, Never to return.
I grew up in Ahukini, when it was a busy seaport village. Jobs were plentiful. Kaua‘i didn’t have traffic lights, no bumper-to-bumper traffic. Fishing was fantastic.
The local schools prepared me for the university and eventually, law school. After law school, we decided to remain on the Mainland. Did we make the right choice? Yes, professionally and financially. Professionally my studies led to a judgeship, when Gov. Ronald Reagan appointed me to a vacancy in Los Angeles County. Gov. Reagan was the first California governor to appoint Japanese Americans as judges.
Do we miss Kaua‘i? Yes, It is still our paradise. We, therefore, visit Kaua‘i for a minimum of two weeks every two years. When we are in bumper to bumper traffic, we do not complain or get frustrated. We soak up paradise. We see much more of paradise at 10 mph. It’s safer too, with so many “crazy” drivers.
Why do we remain on the Mainland when we love paradise? It’s to stay within driving distance of our children, grandchild, doctors and Las Vegas, plus we are living the “American Dream.”
Kauaians, rather than complaining, start solving the real problems that you will be facing in the near future. You’re the only ones who can destroy or save paradise.
1. With climate changes, you are going to face a shortage of water if you don’t find ways to save the water “running” into the ocean.
2. Demand for electricity is going to exceed supply. Many of you will not be able to afford the rates. It is already too high.
3. Sewage: With so many new developments, Kaua‘i will become a huge sludge pile, if you don’t start planning today.
4. Your landfills are full. Every year more trash is being produced. If you don’t solve the problem, your backyard will become a “trash dump.”
5. Property tax: In the near future, senior citizens on fixed incomes will have to choose — tax or food. Many could lose their homes.
6. Pollution: The ocean and the rivers, especially Hanama‘ulu, Hanapepe and Waimea rivers. Fishes are no longer swimming up river to spawn. Very few mullets, manini, and papio on the shoreline. Baby shrimps are gone.
With each visit, we expect drastic improvements. As you know we are always disappointed. Regardless, we really enjoy Kaua‘i. We know that the “good ole days” are gone. With all the new development (Kuku‘iula, Waipouli, Coco Palms, Puhi, etc.) be prepared to be in bumper-to-bumper traffic at Anahola as you head for Kapa‘a, at Kalaheo as you head for the airport, at the airport as you head for Kapa‘a. Enjoy 2007 when you are stalled at Kealia, Wailua River or Puhi. Before long you are going to wish it was 2007, as 2007 is going to become the “good ole days.” Stop complaining and enjoy paradise.
Richard S. Hanki
Cerritos, Calif.
No answers on Ohana Kauai questions to council
Yesterday’s article “Legal funds approved for Ohana Kauai battle,” reporting on the action at the County Council meeting of June 20 on the $25,000 of additional funding sought for the Ohana Kauai case, did not report all of the concerns I expressed in my testimony. I asked three questions:
• First, as the county in the Ohana case had sued the mayor and the council and the Goodsill law firm was representing the county, I inquired why the council was funding the services of a law firm that is suing the council.
• Second, as the case has been fully briefed and argued with only the decision of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court remaining to occur, why does the council propose to add another $25,000 to the $235,000 of taxpayer money already spent.
• Third, how does the council justify an executive session for a consultation said to be privileged with a law firm that does not represent the council. Consultations with counsel not representing the council are not privileged.
I received no meaningful response to my inquiries. It is important that the public be accurately informed about these matters.
Glenn Mickens
Kapa‘a
Miracles in Kapa‘a
On Saturday, May 5, miracles happened between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. While cleaning the Kapa‘a Chinese Cemetery, with over 25 adults working side-by-side with heavy machinery, chain saws, machetes, weed whackers, etc. no one was injured nor anyone required emergency care! Not even a Band-Aid was asked for!
The outpouring of sweat (a very hot day!) and hard labor indicated true love for the project in restoring pride to family members and friends buried there. This clean up was sorely needed. The grave sites were actually hidden!
Deepest mahalo goes to canoe club, “Na Mahoe” with its members and family as the majority of workers represented. With their leader, John Kruse, along with Attorney Joe Horvak and his associates, my cousin Thomas Aiu and his staff of Hawaiian Seal Consultants, Inc. moved the project along without incident.
As residents of Las Vegas, my sister Dorna Ginden and Justin Mahelona remained on Kaua‘i to help. John Lee, friend of Allan Hom, committee member, came from San Francisco. My hula student Susan Andrade came from Louisiana joining Mary and George Cardenas for Healani’s Hula Halau & Music Academy. Others stopped by just to pitch in. Still, others stopped by shocked to know it was once a cemetery after driving on Apopo Road which runs in front of the cemetery for eight years! This made our day, in my opinion, very successful!
Cold drinks and food were plentiful. Even Hawaiian music joined with a hula or two created energies very high. What more could we ask for? Thanks to August Yee of Honolulu who chaired this event with help from Jerome “Da Shadow” Freitas and Lester Chang of The Garden Island, who made it public.
We now want to invite other groups, e.g. business associations, clubs, halaus, special groups, etc. to join us on the next Clean-Up slated for Aug. 11, starting at 6:30 a.m. (much cooler) with free food and drinks provided again. We especially extend to family members whose loved ones are buried there to feel a sense of pride for their ancestors by coming out to partcipate.
Special thanks to Dickie Chang and Bruce Smalling of Wala’au TV for its promotion and filming. And, above all, we give thanks to God for making this a great beginning! Any questions, please call me at 822-1451 or August Yee at (808) 946-9799.
“Aunty” Beverly H.S.L.A.
Muraoka
Kumu Hula and
Committee Member of KCCCC
